"Chet had a comfort and ease on the anchor desk unrivaled in the marketplace," Paul La Camera, former Channel 5 general manager, told the Boston Phoenix in a 2008 interview. "She brought the intensity, so they complemented each other pretty nicely."

Chet Curtis is seen in a newscast "open."

"You really can't lie to a camera and the camera just loved Chet," said Jim Coppersmith, former WCVB president and general manager. "He was honest, he was real and he was human."

Curtis, who worked in Washington early in his career, was covering the U.S. Senate on the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

Natalie Jacobson, Chet Curtis, Kitty and Gov. Michael Dukakis.

Natalie and Chet

In the WCVB-TV newsroom, he was a friend, mentor and a leader, staff members affectionately called "The Mayor."

"He was the social glue in this organization," said long-time WCVB-TV medical editor Dr. Timothy Johnson. "He really added something to the level of levity and yet seriousness in the newsroom that was incomparable. He was unique."

As the Phoenix article observed "Curtis made his job look as simple as rolling out of bed, it’s also easy to underestimate his skills."

One of Curtis' proudest career moments was a trip to Poland for a documentary on the World War II death camps.

His passion won awards.

A WCVB-TV publicity photo for Chet.

Dick Albert, Natalie Jacobson, Chet Curtis and Mike Lynch on the set in the 1990s

Dick Albert, Natalie Jacobson and Chet Curtis

Chet Curtis and Natalie Jacobson (on the left) host an MDA telethon.

A WCVB-TV publicity photo for Chet

Chet with NewsCenter 5 anchor Pam Cross

Natalie and Chet's marriage of almost 25 years ended in 1999.

In 2000, Curtis transitioned to an anchor role at New England Cable News.

Chet Curtis at New England Cable News

Chet at New England Cable News with the late author Nora Ephron.

Anchoring New England Cable News coverage of the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy.

In this November 2011 photo, rehearsals were held at Suffolk University’s Modern Theater in preparation for Serious Fun: A Political Party. Pictured are Lauren Beckham Falcone of WROR, Michael Graham of WTKK and Chet Curtis.

Chet at the New England Cable News studios on March 24, 2011

At New England Cable News

"Chet was a consummate story teller. He had more stories than anybody I've ever known and they were all entertaining," said his friend and former NewsCenter 5 meteorologist Dick Albert.

In November 2012, Curtis was honored by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences with his induction into the rare and prestigious Gold Circle, honoring 50 years of broadcasting.

On Sept. 12, 2013, Chet was inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcaster's Hall of Fame.

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